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Anna Gwardyś, one of the ‘founding members’ of IATEFL Poland)
Q.1. Anna, I understand that you were involved with IATEFL from the very beginning. What were your hopes/expectations behind its founding as an association?
Yes, I was one of the ‘founding mothers’ . ;-) Our aim was to create a platform where colleagues from the ELT community in Poland could share ideas, not only with teachers in Poland, but also with colleagues from other countries. We hoped that it would become a place that teachers came to for personal development, and to gain access to the newest trends in ELT. Ultimately, a place where ELT champions were honed for the benefit of students across the country. This may sound very pretentious, but it was truly what we all saw as a need in post-communist Poland, and what we all hoped for.
Q.2. In those early days, how did you think that you could contribute to the IATEFL cause?
I was an EFL teacher and I loved my job, including the creation of my own materials for the classroom. I felt, however, that it would be fantastic if teachers could have greater access to EFL publications that were not available in Poland at that time.
I had been attending IATEFL World conferences in the UK, and knew what a wonderful organisation that was. I felt that through my own contacts at the UK, and through my contacts at the British Council (BC), I would be able to help make connections that could benefit IATEFL Poland.
I was young and full of energy (this was 1991 and later ;-) ), and I was really willing to roll up my sleeves, and get involved in day-to-day organisational matters.
Q.3. What official roles did you, in fact, perform for the association?
I had quite a few official roles as the organisation developed, and although I was honoured to hold them all, my aim throughout was to work with colleagues to make the organisation as effective as possible. I was Vice-President for two years, then, President for two years (following on from Jan Rusiecki and Maria Birkenmajer). I was the Newsletter Editor in the early years of its publication (a very creative but stressful role. (I agree totally! Ed.). I also created and managed the first IATEFL webpage. I was closely involved in the organisation of 4 of the early conferences (a fantastic experience).
Q.4. What would you consider to have been your major achievement with IATEFL?
I think it’s better for others to decide; however, I can identify three things that I could call ‘my achievements’.
- Managing the Newsletter, as it was a direct way to reach our audience and give them the opportunity to publish their ideas.
- Reaching out to our younger audience and convincing them of the benefits of being part of the organisation and sharing ideas.
- Being an active member on the early conference organising committees. I felt I had the skills to provide the appropriate support, and I enjoyed it!
Q.5. You certainly helped to develop IATEFL’s relations with the BC. Could you briefly outline how that relationship progressed over the years?
The initial link with the BC in Poland was through Chris Scott-Barrett, Director of Studies and Examinations. I worked with Chris at Warsaw University of Technology, and from mid-1992 at the BC. From that time, I became the liaison between IATEFL Poland and the BC, and also with the University of Cambridge Examinations. I was, a few years later, voted in as Committee Member of IATEFL World, representing both our organisations.
BC Poland Directors were always interested in how our organisations were developing. Seeing the benefit we were bringing to the EFL community (which was a target audience for the BC for a very long time), they were willing to support the organisation, not only by providing us with grants for our statutory activities, but also by covering the cost of key presenters at our conferences, and giving grants to identified members to participate in the IATEFL World conference. The support was defined in a Memorandum of Understanding, which was renewed on a regular basis. Funding was agreed annually.
Q.6. Do you feel IATEFL’s relationship with the BC has now ‘completed its cycle’, or could there be further progression, and in different ways?
I have not been involved in the work of the BC Poland, for nearly ten years now, as I was promoted to the regional role of Exams Operations Manager, Europe), so it is difficult for me to judge.
The BC has gone through many changes as a global organisation. These include: significant reviews of our funding, activities, and target groups. These changes will have affected all our offices around the world.
Funding for IATEFL Poland is no longer likely, but there could be programmes and projects that IATEFL Poland and the BC could work on jointly. Maintaining a close relationship is key.
Q.7. In IATEFL’s 30 years of conferences, what was your favourite one, and why?
I enjoyed all the 20 conferences I attended. When my role at the BC changed, I was no longer able to attend conferences, as I was travelling so much of the time.
I must mention Karniowice, our first conference. I remember worrying about the attendance, but upon seeing 400 people present at the event, it made my heart soar. We were on the road to success.
Kielce, our third conference, had nearly 600 participants, and was a difficult event to manage logistically, as we were still “learning the ropes”, and the city of Kielce was not used to such large events. I recall that the caterers for the conference “messed up”, and there wasn’t enough food to go around. The Conference Manager was crying in frustration, and a group of us were trying to calm her down. However, many participants praised the event as if no hiccoughs had occurred! That was typical of IATEFL’s conference participants.
Briefly, I must mention Warsaw, the 20th Annual Conference, as my son, Michael, was delivering a presentation for the first time. He had suddenly discovered a love for teaching, having been a graduate of Law and Political Science. He was teaching young learners, and was keen, and full of ideas. The room was packed, participants were active, and they later congratulated both him and me! ;-)
Q.8. Who would you claim have been the three most influential figures in IATEFL’s existence?
If I have to limit myself to three, I would say:- 1. Professor Jan Rusiecki, our first President, who despite being so busy, devoted much of his time to promoting the idea of IATEFL in Poland. 2. Ela Jarosz, without whom, the organisation would not exist. I strongly believe Ela has been the ‘main driving force’, via her many roles. She continues to this day to share best practice. 3. Danusia Sołtyska, for many years, IATEFL’s Treasurer. She took on this demanding role at a time when our management of finances ‘left a lot to be desired’. She sorted everything out and ensured that the organisation was compliant with all financial requirements. Sincere apologies to the many I have not mentioned.
Q.9. In your opinion, how has the BC most effectively contributed to IATEFL’s 30-year development?
A key factor was the financial support, as we depended on external backing, being a non-profit organisation. The BC’s involvement in EFL also provided links to the major players in it, and enabled IATEFL to build invaluable networks.
Q.10. What has been your fondest memory of your time with IATEFL Poland?
This reflects the type of people we meet in IATEFL. Professor Jan Rusiecki and I were in London, representing IATEFL Poland at a meeting. It was a huge thing for me to be representing the organisation with him, and I felt a bit intimidated.
As we walked down Oxford Street, talking about IATEFL matters that were to be discussed later that day, he turned to me with a smile, and said in that quiet and polite voice of his - “We are colleagues now. Please call me Jan.” I worked with Jan for a long time after that – not only IATEFL-related work – but that moment will always stay with me.
Thank you, Anna, for your answers, and time spent on helping to celebrate IATEFL’s 30th Anniversary. |
